As I walk my neighborhood, I continue to be intrigued by the architecture. I am currently looking to replace my own front door and love to get ideas from what others have in place or have replaced.
Here are some snap shots of ones that caught my eye (but are not necessarily ones I’d pick for my own home).
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Curtis Park, Local
Tagged Architecture, Buyer, buyers, Curtis Park, Local, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
Old Sugar Mill – 2/20/10 [I love the way this snap shot I took came out, after adding a little sepia action]
On the way back from our excursion to Consumnes River Preserve, we decided to drive through Hood (yes, there is a town with this name, note just a slang term for a bad neighborhood) and “jump” over the river to Clarksburg to check out the Old Sugar Mill. I’ve heard about this place and know that some pretty decent grapes and wine come out of the area (Bogle‘s petite syrah is one of my favorites! Big band for the buck).
I will definitely be going back without the boys to do some wine tasting – I heard it’s free?
Has anyone tasted the wine offerings? Which do you like?
Cheers,
Keith Klassen
Posted in Culture and Local Happenings, Local
Tagged advice, Happenings, Local, Real Estate, Sacramento, Things to do in Sacramento
The Consumnes River Preserve is actually in north Galt… it only took us about 15-20 minutes to drive there from the downtown Sacramento area. We were looking for something to do outdoors with the kids on this Saturday. I Googled “‘nature walks” and this caught my attention. We packed a picnic and ate at the visitor center before we set out on the walk. The visitor center had helpful “rangers” (not sure what their official title is, but they were cool and jumped right in and showed the boys around and told about the different things to do). 
I love the note above the picture – Please Touch! This is the kind of exhibit I like.
All in all, a peaceful day and a nice, close get-away with the family. Oh and did I mention, it’s free!
Here are some other snap shots (below) I took while on the River Walk.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Posted in Culture and Local Happenings, Uncategorized
Tagged advice, fun, Happenings, Local, Sacramento, Things to do in Sacramento
I hesitated to post this, but the world needs to know about good beer (and it’s Saturday). I was at the Shack (check out my review on Yelp) yesterday afternoon with a few friends and might have found my favorite beer ever….. Trappist Rochefort 8! OH YEAH! The monks sure know how to make beer and it was a religious experience. Beer Advocate also gives it an A+.
High end beer is now very comparable to wine in its complexity and nuance. It’s exciting to see several places in Sacramento, like the Shack and Pangaea stepping up to the plate in the world of Belgian beers.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
I love to pay attention to the establishments in my neighborhood, especially those that are doing good work and helping people. On a typical day there will be several blind people who stroll down my street with confidence and a positive demeanor.
Here’s a little background for those who were curious like me….
Formed in 1953 and has been at it’s present site since 1967! Society for the Blind was born in 1953 when a group of Adult Blind from Sacramento County formed an association to open a center where blind and visually impaired people could meet and interact with one another. On October 14, 1954 the Sacramento Valley Center for the Blind was incorporated.
While the original intent of the Center was to provide a congregating space for blind and low vision people in the Sacramento area, by the early 70’s the name had changed from “Center for the Blind” to “Society for the Blind” and a new vision had been established. The new vision included providing life and job skills training, counseling, and access to help and tools for the thousands of blind and visually impaired people in Sacramento and the surrounding areas.
In 1970, the Society launched the Self-Reliance Institute, an eight-week summer program designed to meet the unique needs of blind and visually impaired teenagers. This program helped over 200 teenagers make an easier transition to school, work, and independent living.
In October 1975 the Society established one of the first low-vision clinics in Northern California. This enhanced the value of the Society by providing services for a greater number of people.
In 1978, the Senior Self-Reliance Program was launched. Now called the Senior Intensive Retreat, this program has given hundreds of blind seniors the chance to learn daily living skills through a committed, supportive program.
In 1982, funded by a grant from the Delta Gamma Alumnae, the Aids to Independence Store was formed. This store has hundreds of tools — from white canes to cooking tools to talking watches — to help blind and low vision people with everyday living.
In the late 1990’s, Society for the Blind received a government grant which enabled the development of California Access News. This is a service where Californians can call a computerized service that provides them with information such as newspaper and magazine articles, local news, and movie and television listings.
A government grant early in the new century helped the Society to establish the Career Development Program. This program gives working-age blind people access to training, counseling and job-seeking assistance, allowing them to enter and maintain their positions in the working world.
Services include, but are not limited to:
1. Orientation and Mobility
2. Braille Instruction
3. Daily Living Skills
4. Adapted Computer Skills
5. Low vision clinic
6. Senior and youth programs
7. Career development program
[Information taken from Society for the Blind’s website. For a more in-depth look, go to www.societyfortheblind.org ]
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
There is just something special about a unique front door. Nowadays, most suburban
developments push the garage to the front and restrict social activities to the privacy of the back yard. The front porch, the door, the vestibule were all attributes of a different era for which many now long. A door that says “Welcome!” Or one that speak of intrigue and curiosity, as if to say, “If you think this is interesting, wait until you see what’s inside.”
Just one of the many awesome front doors and homes in my neighborhood (Curtis Park, Sacramento)
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Curtis Park, Local
Tagged Buyer, buying, Curtis Park, First time home buyer, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
It’s always great to see things happening in our neck of the woods. Business thriving, homes restored, and new things coming to life all around us. The local women’s gym, Figure 8, seems to be a big hit. For the last month they have been undergoing a face lift, redoing their storefront and perhaps reconfiguring the entrance. This renovation should be an attractive upgrade to the already thriving neighborhood.
Stay tuned for the finished product.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Curtis Park, Local Real Estate News
Tagged Curtis Park, fun, Local, Real Estate, Sacramento
I love to frequent coffee shops, a place to read, do business, and 
meet friends – oh, and to drink delicious coffee. Depending on my mood and the places I need to be, determines my destination. I am swayed by the quality of coffee, ease of finding a seat, and WiFi connection (which is pretty much everywhere). I’m also big on the local, home-grown haunts. I like to root for the little guy. Then some times the little guys gets too big, or big-headed, so I venture out and find another third space.
The old Starbuck’s on Broadway in Oak Park folded (can you believe it – Goliath goes down!) several months ago and the rumor had it that Old Soul was taking over – a great story (click on the link to read about it on their website).
I heard they opened and had to check it out. While the Midtown one at Weather Stones is awesome and now serves beer and wine, it is also crowded and hard to find a table at times. I was glad to head over to the Broadway one, which is just as close to my home in Curtis Park. There were plenty of seats, the decor was very appealing, and the coffee is fantastic as always.
I love the quote on their website, under their “Story” and “Philosophy section:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ” – Margaret Mead
What does this have to do with real estate? …. Not much, however, good business is connected with and does affect area values and the general ethos of the landscapes in which we dwell.
I wish Old Soul well and hope they succeed as they participate in the efforts of revitalizing Oak Park, Sacramento. Check it out.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Local Eats
While this is almost completely unrelated to real estate, I just had to add a category for my food, beverage and restaurant review. This is my blog, right! So focus can some time go out the window. I’m in the habit of taking a picture of a plate of food or bottle that I’ve enjoyed and want to remember.
About a week ago my family ambled over to Orphan in East Sacramento one Saturday morning. I read the Yelp
reviews and wanted to experience it for myself. Orphan is a breakfast joint that took over the formal Moxie Jr. location (Moxie’s [the original] is one of our favorites for an upscale dinner). Orphan is owned by the same folks as Tupelo Coffee, which is part of the Naked Coffee Roasting Co.
I’m not sure if this picture looks appetizing, but it was soooo good going down. It was an artichoke heart, tomato scramble thingie, with fresh baked bread. Oh, and if you are a coffee lover… their coffee blew my doors off. I mean, at first the whole spiel about how they brew each cup special, etc., etc…. I was like, yeah whatever, just give me the coffee! Then to drink this nectar of the gods… put it this way, I bought a pound to take home.
Go check it out.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Local Eats
Tagged advice, Food and Beverage, fun, Happenings, Real Estate, Sacramento
I do business with a colleague that employs “sign shakers” – at least that’s what I call them. You know the guys who
dance on the corners twirling signs, spinning and shaking to whatever they are listing to on their iPod. There is a guy in Sacramento that dresses up like Spiderman. I saw a Mr. Pickles dancer the other day – that kind of freaked me out. My friend’s sign says “Cheap Foreclosures” – that’s it. In Sacramento, a cheap foreclosure might start at $40,000 (yes, this type of home is a dump in need of much work).
Check out this video about a sign shaker. I kept thinking it was a Saturday night live video spoof, but it is legit. Sign Shaker Video. I love the quote, …what are you feeding that boy?
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Culture and Local Happenings
Tagged advice, Buyer, buyers, buying, First time home buyer, fun, Happenings, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
Sacramento Real Estate Reflections 