Living in Contra Costa County

Nelson Riemenschneider - Football Player

My son Nelson went out for Freshman Football at Liberty High School this year.  He is a good kid, but has struggled with school and sports in the past.

However, this year he is doing very well.  It looks like he will be starting when they play the first game in a couple of weeks.  At 6'1" about 250 lbs he is playing left tackle.  He has wrestled for the last 3 years and I think it has helped him.  The conditioning hurts him a lot and I think he is the slowest kid on the team, but he keeps going and does not quit.  I suspect that if he keeps it up in years ahead it will pay off good for him.

As a dad I have pushed him and prodded him in sports, even when he was doing poorly and wanted to quit.  It is hard to know the balance between when to back off and when to make them keep going.  (He latter thanked me for making him play baseball.)  Watching him succeed and enjoying himself I feel like I the rewards of being a parent are starting to come in.  I know there is a lot of hard work ahead for both of us.

This year he seems to be doing good in school and taking responsibility for things.  He was elected to Student Government, even though he came from outside the district and does not know a lot of the kids.

I love football, and really look forward to the NFL season, but this year I am really looking forward to 5:00 PM on Thursdays when the Liberty Lions Freshmen take the field.

This video stars my 2nd son Corbin.  The video was made by his mom's boyfriend Will Leoppard who is in Film School. 

The plot is basically a Shaggy Dog type story we used to tell at summer camp.  The filming technique is what he is working on.  I like the star, even though he is somewhat of a ham.  The video is not too long.

He has some other Video's on YouTube.  If you like this one or some of the others you might want to tell him so. 

Brentwood's Liberty Lions need your support.

Yes it is that time of year for high school fundraisers and no doubt you will be getting hit up for a lot of them.  However, I am going to share a really good one with you that will actually save you money and is for a good cause.

As you know the budget crunch has hit east Contra Costa County High School sports hard.  Many local business are also getting hit hard.  For supporting high school sports many local, regional and national companies will provide you with discounts.

The coupons and discount cards only cost $20.00, but you can get significant savings and coupons for free items at many local restaurants, movie theaters around the country, theme parks, national stores, Las Vegas Vacations, Disney World and more.

Just to satisfy the Federal Regulators I will disclose I have a vested interest in this as my son plays football, wrestles and is selling these coupons for a small fee of $20.00.  So please by one from my son or any other Liberty High Athlete and Help the Lions.

You can call me for more information at 925-260-4321 or e-mail me at Gene@AskGene.info.

Brentwood Spring Football

My son went to Spring Football as an 8th grader.  He primarily wanted to wrestle in high school, but went to spring football somewhat reluctantly.  However, after 2 days he told me he loves it.

As an incoming Freshman he has been working out over the summer with the JV team and went to camp.  Unfortunately he hurt his foot and has spent a lot of time and the sidelines wearing a boot (Planter Faciaties).  He still goes and lifts weights, helps out, and does what he can.  He is back to the point he can wear his cliets and do some of the drills.  However, he is way behind.

If they end up having freshman sports he may actually be ahead of the game as the freshman team has not started working out yet.  However, if freshman sports is canceled the best he might be able to do I suspect is ride the bench for the JV.

I love watching the kids work out.  It is great to see 70 or 80 young men working as a team and with discipline.  The lessons learned in sports can be taken into many aspects of life.

Brentwood California - A Fiscally Sound Community!

There is one thing I want to clarify, this is not the Brentwood of OJ fame.  Brentwood of OJ fame is in the Hollywood area of Southern California and is unincorporated.  If you are reading this on Localism Active Rain still has pictures of SC Brentwood for us, but we are Northern California Brentwood.

Northern California Brentwood is a quite community in East Contra Costa County (The San Francisco East Bay).  Many people move here for our fine affordable housing.  Equivalent housing in other nearby areas might cost 2 to 3 times as much, but we are still accessible to where people work.

Brentwood is the premier community in East Contra Costa County.  Offering fine homes and amenities.  It is a great place to raise a family, retirees, or anyone seeking affordable housing in a nice community.

Right now I am very proud of my home town.  While many communities are suffering cutbacks and drastic budget cuts Brentwood is doing fine.  The reason Brentwood is doing fine is good planning.  During the fat years and the run up Brentwood did not spend every dime or introducing a number of new spending items.  Brentwood saved it's money and built a 30% reserve. 

With the economic down turn Brentwood has made minor cuts and obtained some concessions from employees, but we have had no drastic cuts to services or layoffs.  They have used some of the reserve, but not much.  Future projections look good to.  I do not follow local politics that close, but you have to give credit where credit is due.  Good planning by our city staff and elected officials.

If you would like to buy or sell a home in this great Brentwood California Community or any other areas nearby please give me a call.  I would like to earn your business as a Broker and Realtor by providing you with great service.

I was born on July 3, 1960 in Oklahoma City and I have had a lot of birthdays sense then - most unremarkable.  As I have gotten older I do not think much of birthdays, not because I am trying to avoid age, but because I just do not like to make a big deal out of it. 

When my wife generally ask me what I want to do it is a small family activity.  Maybe a BBQ or her and I going to dinner.  As you might imagine often times at what ever 4th of July event I am at someone whips out a cake for my birthday.  My wife's birthday is July 4th and this even complicates the weekend a little more.

However, this year is a milestone year.  At 50 I feel I have reached the half way point (and if statistics hold true I may have passed it.) and it is cause for reflection.  I have let my wife invite a number of people over for a BBQ.  As it is a holiday weekend I am not sure how many will show.  All of my kids will be home, my sister has to work and my brother is in Oklahoma; and they will be missed.  But my best friend of 44 years (Sense Grade 1) Dave will make it and that is special.

Life has not always gone as I have planned it, but in many ways it has been better.  At 50 I am more convinced than ever that not only does God move among the nations, but that he walks with and works in the lives of individuals.  God has blessed me and called me out of where I was and has blessed me.  My favorite bible verse is Isaiah 43: 18-19:

FORGET THE FORMER THINGS;

DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST.

SEE, I AM DOING A NEW THING.

NOW IT SPRINGS UP; DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT?

I AM MAKING A WAY IN THE DESERT

AND STREAMS IN THE WASTELAND.

I have been blessed with 6 sons.  I do not think big families are for everyone, but I believe being a father of 6 boys is what I have been called to do.  The Bible says that sons are like arrows in your quiver, but it is my job to aim them straight.  With the youngest being 4 months I have a lot of work to do for the next 20 years.  As most people are slowing down and ready to take it a little easier I know I have work ahead of me.  The biggest job in my life is to shape and mold these 6 boys to be responsible young men.

At times I am sore and tired and do not know how I will manage. At the same time age has given me some perspective and insight that I may not have had 20 years ago if I had been a parent younger.  I also have a confidence that God will give me what it takes to complete the job he has given me.  I hope to live to be old enough to enjoy my grand-kids and even great grand-kids, but the next 20 years are the big challenge.

I have rambled on enough.  But it is not about me.  At 50 I am just reflecting on the goodness of God and counting on him to see me through.

Help Save Freshman Sports

The Liberty Union High School District is the School District for the High Schools in Oakley and Brentwood.  It is a separate district from the elementary schools and middle schools.

To balance the budget all Freshman High School sports have tenatively been cancelled.  The school distirct has given parents and boosters until 8/1/2010 to raise $48,000.00 to keep freshman sports for the 2010/2011 school year.

The notice was very short.  I know there are a number of fundraisers going on including bowling nights at Brentwood Bowl. 

I am willing to donate $300.00 per closed escrow for any buyer or seller mentioning this post to me.  However, I also realize that there may not be time to close the escrow and meet the deadline.  So here is what I will do.  If you donate $300.00 to Save Freshman Sports by 8/1/10 I will do the following:

1. If you are a buyer and sign a Buyer Broker Agreement with my by 8/1/2010 I will credit you $300.00 at closing.
   
   
2. If you are selling I will cut $300.00 off the listing price.

There may be some restrictions, especially with a Short Sale Listing, but give me a call and I will see what we can work out and still meet RESPA and other disclosure requirements.

This is Janson (who I could not get to smile for a picture) wearing his favorite Dinosaur Jammies that is mom made for him a Christmas.

Today Janson is 6 and he is a big boy!  Janson is my 4th of 6 boys and was a big surprise and a real gift from God born 16 months after his brother Weston.

Janson says he is tough and "faster than a Raptor."  He likes Dinosaurs.  He wrestles and plays baseball and just completed his first year of Kindergarten being home schooled.  He wants to play soccer in the fall.  This year was also his first year in Royal Rangers as a Ranger Kid.  Janson learned to ride his bike in about 10 minutes.

Each of my kids is special in someway.  Janson will never tell me he loves me and fights me every step of the way, but he always wants to go with me when I leave.  He brings me Lego Models he has built while I am working.  "Tackling Daddy" is his favorite thing to do. As I write this he has just hopped on my lap to help me work.

If we find goodies have been raided in the kitchen Janson is usually suspect one or two.  He could not decide what type of cake he wants for his birthday, so mom bought three mixes and he will decide today. 

I love Janson and I think he love me.  He was certainly a surprise and a very special gift from God.

My wife and I do not put much into Mother's Day or Father's Day, except for my step mother out parents and grandparents are gone.  The older boys may do or say something and the younger boys will probably put together a little something with the other parent to teach them they owe respect and duty to parents.

I have 6 boys though and I can tell you everyday is Father's Day for me.  Being a father has been my highest goal in life.  It is a tougher job than I thought, but I would never go back.  Sometimes on line I will refer to my kids in less than a postive tone.  However, those of you with kids may understand that when I refer to them as sneaky disobiediant barbarians or such that there is love even in that statement.

I have noticed a trend in our culture.  On Mother's Day it often falls to dad to entertain the little ones and give mom a break; this sometimes involves cooking or taking mom out to eat too.  But come Father's Day mom often arranges special things for Dad to do with the kids and maybe even for Dad to BBQ.  Some how I think mom wins on both of these days.

We will see what today brings.

Homes for Sale in Brentwood California

Every month I publish market reports about Homes for Sale in Brentwood California. If you are looking for Homes for Sale in Brentwood California it is pretty informative. I will be doing another report this month just like I do every month. However, today I am going to give you five reasons why you should be interested in Homes for Sale in Brentwood California:

1. Homes for Sale in Brentwood California are in the finest community in East Contra Costa County that rivals living in some of the more upscale central county luxury communities at a far more affordable price.
   
   
2. Many Homes for Sale in Brentwood California set on many of the fine golf courses in Brentwood.
   
   
3. Homes for Sale in Brentwood California include homes in many of the 55+ gated communities; offering many excellent ammenities and security.
   
   
4. Brentwood offers access to fishing, boating, fine dinning, a Water Park and other recreational activities.
   
   
5. Homes for Sale in Brentwood California offer great investment potential. Click here to get your free Real Estate Investment Book.

I want to offer you great service and by your broker. Call me about Homes for Sale in Brentwood California or elsewhere at 925-260-4321.