Living in Contra Costa County

Brentwood Ca Karate

Any of you that have read my post know that I like to keep my boys busy in sports. I have 6 boys and the oldest four all do different things. This does not mean they are good at it all the time but they have to participate in something.

The other rule I have is that I choose what you do, unless and until you have a real passion for something; then you can choose. I will let them try different things on a casual level too.

Well my 3^rd son Weston was born 6-7 weeks early and spent his first month in the premie nursery. He has a sensory processing disorder which sometimes makes him both socially and physically awkward. He has struggled with baseball and wrestling.

Well he kept saying he wanted to try Karate. My wife spotted a special of 6 weeks including the uniform for $69.00 at Brentwood's American Karate Academy. I honestly wondered if he would last 6 weeks before he got bored.

Karate has been the best thing for my son. The Karate instructors have been really good with him. He still struggles with things and his attention span is sometimes not where it should be, but he loves it. He had some trouble working through his basics at the White Belt and I thought he would want to give up. There were some tears and disappointments but he kept going. When he went to Karate and passed his Gold Belt test he was so proud. He really felt like he had achieved something.

The American Karate Academy Instructors are the best and have a good balance of discipline and yet understanding where the kids are at. My son is starting to talk to me about things he wants to achieve in Karate – this is always good as it shows me he is planning for the future and is beginning to set goals and objectives for himself.

Here is a video of him testing for his 3^rd strip on the Gold Belt. He fails the first time, but notice how the instructor encourages him and gets him through the test the 2^nd time around.

He is still an awkward little boy on some levels, but Karate at the American Karate Academy is helping. The next night he advanced to his Orange Belt.

If you are looking for a Karate School in Brentwood Ca 94513 I highly recommend American Karate Academy. They offer Karate for Kids and Adults. They are located at 2440 Sand Creek Road, Suite E-10 or basically the Raley's Shopping Center. There phone number is 925-240-8384 or go to www.AmericanKarate1.com.   

Brentwood Real Estate

Sometimes people do not want to hear what the Realtor has to tell them about Real Estate.  Here is a funny little post on that subject.

For more information on Brentwood Real Estate or beyond go to Home Point Real Estate.  

The Liberty Lions Football Team Ended their season with a Thud last night.  

However, just like Charlie Brown there is always next season and eternal hope.

For my son Nelson Big Number 78 playing on the JV Team this Sophomore year, this year presented some real challenges which (more off the field than on) he has handled with real character.

What amazes be about teenagers is the same sloppy, lazy, and inconsiderate kid can rise to extreme levels of maturity, character and sensitivity.

But his story of this season is for another day. I have been thinking about how sad I will be when he is gone and I won't be able to see him play on Friday Nights.

Well as I was feeling a little melancholy and sad about stuff that has not happened yet this little guy who found his brothers gear laying round wanders into my office.

Janson here reminded me there will always be another season. Both in Football and Life to look forward to.

Autumn In Brentwood Ca 94513

Autumn arrived right on schedule in Brentwood last week - The first day of Fall September 23, 2011.

Fall may be the official Season but Autumn is something in the air.  

The days are warm, but not the burning heat of Summer, inter-spaced with a blustery wind or a few showers.  There is a smell in the air that some people say is the smell of decay, but that is not a good term for such a wonderful smell.  I like to think of it as the smell of the harvest; the gardens and crops are in and the leaves are the color of gold.

The nights are cool and gentle; I still leave the window open but it is time for a few more blankets.

The kids are settled into school and football is everywhere; on the playground and streets; at the high school and on TV.  The Boys of Summer are winding down the baseball, not just the pros, but young men in fall baseball and travel teams.  

There is a gentle and excited anticipation of the coming Holidays.  Momma is picking up her Blue Pumpkins (the best ones for cooking with) to prepare for pies, soups, breads, pancakes, cookies and all sorts of fall goodies.

It is time for me to start thinking about how I am going to cook the turkey in hopes that it will do justice to all the other things momma decides to prepare at Thanksgiving.  The kids are beginning to wonder what Santa might bring, but not counting the days yet.

The Grill is put away (although it might make a brief appearance here or there for smoking a turkey or something) and momma has the crock pot out.  She is thumbing through the soup and casserole section of her recipes.

The smell of grilling meat gives way to the smell of brush fires and warm soup. 

I can fall asleep in my easy chair (given the chance) without the guilt of feeling I should be out doing something on a "Summer" day.

Fall is my favorite season.  I am not sure when that started (long ago it was summer).  I think perhaps it is because at 51 I am in the Fall of my life.  I'm not done, but I am past the prime.  I am enjoying the harvest of my life (my children) and I enjoy the small comforts of the season.

What are you doing this Autumn in Brentwood? 

Liberty Lions of Brentwood California Vs Miramonte on 9-23-11

This Friday The Liberty Lions face off agains the Miramonte at Liberty High School.  The JV Game Starts at 4:30 and the Varsity Game Starts at 7:00.

The Freshman are playing at Miramonte right now.  

Last week the Lions were overwhelming against American High in Fremont California with the Freshman, JV and Varsity all winning in very dominating fashion.

This year the Freshman are 2-1, as is the JV.  The Varsity is off to a slower start at 1-2, but what I have noticed is that the teams are getting better with each and every game.

The games are lots of fun.  There are free programs when you get to the game at the entry and lots of good food (not free I am afraid - but profits go to support the athletic programs at the school).

Come on out and route for the Lions on Friday 9-23-11.

Brentwood Ca Homes

Here are some thoughts on securing your Brentwood Ca Home.  Brentwood is a great city to live in with a great police force, but you can never be too careful.

If you are interested in a Brentwood Ca Home or Beyond or just want to search homes on line go toHomePointRealEstate.com.  

Wrestling in Brentwood Ca 94513

The Delta Wrestling Club is starting to take sign ups for the 2011-2012 season.  Practice begins on October 17th.

This is a great program for kids from 5 (sometimes 4) through the 8th grade.  Wrestling is a very popular sport in this area and Liberty High School has one of the best programs in the state.  It helps kids with discipline, coordination, and not only prepares them for high school wrestling, but can help them with other sports like football.

Nelson as a Jr. High Wrestler -2010-11 JV Heavy Weight Champ for the DVAL High School League!

My oldest son Wrestles and Plays High School Football.  He was not very athletic, but Delta Wrestling and the coaches have made him into a great and motivated athlete.  

My 8 and 7 year old have been wrestling for two years.  We take it easy as they are still novices, we go to practices and the local tournaments.

Kids are matched up against other kids about the same weight, and the new kids that are younger wrestle other kids with the same experience level.

They have classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced.  The cost is $100.00 for the first kid and $60.00 for each additional kid.  They get shorts and a t-shirt with registration.  

Come give it a try!

Can you tell me which President was a wrestler?

Brentwood Ca 94513 - A Playful City USA

I often write about the great parks we have in abundance here in Brentwood Ca.  We have large mega parks and small neighborhood parks on little corners and niches of land.  Brentwood Ca is full of parks.

Well what I did not know is Kaboom USA is a non profit organization that is devoted to working with cities to get people playing.  There are 151 Playful Cities in the US in 2011 and for the 3rd year in a row Brentwood is one of them.  

One of the goals is to have a park within a five minute walk of every home in a commuity.  I am not sure if we have that hear in Brentwood, but if we don't we are pretty close. We also have a number of walking trails in and about Brentwood and the surrounding communities. 

Brentwood is a great place to live.  Ask Me Why and How you Can Live Here!

Liberty High Football Game Scheduled to be played at American High School on Friday 9-15-11 is now set to be played on 9-14-11 at American High School.  

The JV Game starts at 4:30 and the Varsity Game starts at 7:00 PM.  

American High School is in Fremont Ca at 36300 Fremont Blvd.  

The games for all Fremont schools are played at TAK, which is at American High.  It is behind the front parking lot on Freemont Blvd.

Remember Lions Fans - The Game is Thursday this week - not Friday!

Come out and watch the Lions.

Moving to Brentwood Ca 94513 - Five Great Reasons You Should!

Are you condsidering Moving to Brentwood Ca 94513?  Brentwood Ca is a fantastic community.  I live here and I am going to give you five reasons why you should consider Moving to Brentwood Ca 94513:

1. Brentwood Ca 94513 is in good financial shape compared to other communities.  Brentwood kept a reserve and held spending in check in the good times.  While many communities are cutting back on police and other services Brentwood remains staffed and in good financial shape.
   
   
2. We have a wonderful downtown that is just about finished with a major renovation.  There is a new city hall and parking, but we sill have charming shops, restaurants and a classic small town movie theater.  You can find a farmers market, the library and a nice park all while walking in our downtown.
   
   
3. Lots of Golf, Fishing, and community sports organizations that play in some of the many fine parks in Brentwood.  Moving to Brentwood means joining the fun!
   
   
4. Moving to Brentwood means living in a central location.  You are close to San Francisco and other exciting Bay Area spots, but you are only a couple of hours away from the high Sierra for Sking and year round mountain fun.
   
   
5. Moving to Brentwood means finding some of the nicest homes in Contra Costa County at incredible prices.  There are Gated Communities, Senior Communities, Golf Course Communities, Housing for First Time Buyers, Perfect move up housing, Homes with pools and home with Mt Diablo Views.  Moving to Brentwood - There is a house for you!  

Take a look at some of these fine homes and let us know what you want to see in Brentwood or Beyond!

Moving to Brentwood?  Home Point Real Estate is here to help!