Category: Opinion

Everybody has one, this is my $.02

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High Speed Rail would put Redding on the map

High Speed Rail needed

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” -Michelangelo

From the USHSR website: “Our vision is for a 21st century, 17,000 mile national high speed rail system built in 4 phases, for completion by 2030. This new national system will revitalize our economy, reactivate our manufacturing sector, create millions of jobs, end our oil dependency, and cut our carbon footprint by epic proportions, something that is always worth going to find more info about. Powered by electricity, this system provides sustainable, affordable, and safe mobility for all.”

A new rail line/system will not only add to the culture of the area but it will also bring in more tourists and others to the area. This is a huge leap forward for the economy as well the environment, to anyone that is involved this can help immensely, as previously mentioned, with jobs, hopefully starting people off on a viable and sustainable career path that helps the population. There are various ways in which promotion can be done for this railway in the US, the railway marketing services in the UK are similar in the way they want to promote a cleaner and more efficient manner of transportation. Using a planning and preparation company can help with the marketing of this railway so that it brings in the customers needed for it to make an impact on the environment and an impact on how people travel in their day-to-day lives.

Jobs, transportation, reduction in oil dependence. Nothing but upside for Redding in this idea. Our community began this latest phase of civilization as a rail town, back in 1872. This is our next logical step. Let’s take it.

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You smell it before you see it.

One of the most interesting aspects of being a real estate agent is what I call the amateur anthropologist aspect. We get to see firsthand how we humans really live. Go inside their homes, and in their neighborhoods. This being marijuana harvest week, or whatever, I can tell you there’s plenty of ripe gardens growing. This means there will be plenty of smokers and growers looking to websites like budexpressnow.net to find information on everything regarding cannabis just in time for their next lot of crops to be ready for harvest. If you would like to check out some more information on growing then you may want to read this review guide. And believe me, you really do smell it before you see it this week. Check out this clearly visible garden in downtown Redding. Higher than the rooftops.
MArijuana grow
Which brings me to my point. Sunday October 2 at 8pm, KIXE begins the first installment of the new Ken Burns documentary on Prohibition. It promises to be well worth your time. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Already we have locally seen a recent spike in marijuana prohibition related crime. Like the several recent armed robberies of several local speakeasy collectives. It’s time to end this foolishness before somebody gets hurt. You can’t legislate human behavior, and money empowers organized crime. Thanks KIXE! On the subject of smell, if you’re in a medicinal or recreationally legal state or country, you could enjoy the creation of cannabis infused drinks from companies like Oki.

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A day of reflection

Our hearts go out to the families of those killed in the 9/11 attack. And today we are reflective, in quiet observance of the blood and treasure spent in the decade since.
911
This photo is of Karry and me in a different New York. It’s a poignant reminder that every time you kiss or hug a loved one goodbye for even the most mundane separation, it may turn out to be the last time. But such is the nature of life.

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Visionary Shasta County real estate developer Frank Nichols

I shared a beer with with longtime local real estate developer Frank Nichols yesterday evening. Frank was instrumental in creating two extraordinary local developments, Shasta Forest Village, and the active adult community, The Vineyard in Redding.
The Vineyards in Redding CaliforniaWith Shasta Forest Village in Shingletown, Frank explained he had been building rural on properties scattered across the county for mostly urban buyers unfamiliar with the requirements for water wells and other utilities. He reasoned that if he could cluster some rural lots with paved roads, underground utilities, and a community water system, he could fulfill an unmet demand. From that vision, the innovative Shasta Forest Village was born in the early 1970s, and remains a popular development even today.

Then, Frank envisioned an active adult community that offered residents gated security, a social clubhouse, and a beautiful setting with good access to city amenities. Frank undertook the devilishly complex 208 home project that became The Vineyard. That housing development has gone on to exceed all expectations for quality of life. Homes there are in high demand, similar to homes available from a real estate firm similar to Saussy Burbank among others. Residents truly love living there. If you are looking for a house development company, or if you are looking at moving house you maybe want to learn about New Homes in Charlotte NC or a real estate company more local to you.

These days Frank is quite busy refurbishing and reselling existing homes in need of repair. Some of his properties have found themselves on the listings on the Inboundrem Real Estate Website comparison site due to their quality. But he would rather be building a more ambitious project. We both ruefully agreed that the current economic environment would make a new large, visionary project problematic in our region. But I asked what he might build, if things were different. He described a 4 story condo project for active adults. “As long as it had a view of the river, it would be fabulously successful.” I have to agree. If all this talk of real estate has got you feeling tempted to make an investment of your own, you might want to take time to first learn about the complexities of the industry. There are some excellent educational courses out there such as Roofstock for example so do not be afraid to do some research to find out what works for you.

River condo project in Redding
A multistory building along the Sacramento River
Redding has generally been resistant to taller buildings along the river. I understand the feeling. I wonder though, considering the sprawl we otherwise encourage, if this the wisest course. I do hear much demand from buyers, especially those boomers approaching retirement, who want a secure home, in a walkable neighborhood that provides for social interaction at will. Participate socially, or not, without inviting guests to your home for a party from which they’ll have to drive home. The multi-story residential unit on the river sounds better all the time.

Thanks for the beer, Frank. And thanks for being a visionary with the proven chops to make stuff happen. To take it from vision to reality. That’s Really Redding.

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Mesmerizing rush hour time lapse short video

This looks so alien to my Redding eyes. Like so many daredevils. Here’s a brief video I felt compelled to watch multiple times.

Turns out this YouTuber has posted similar videos made in snow and rain too, though presumably not in 100 degree sun. Still, I just watched it again. And I keep looking for fat people, or anyone on a motorized wheelchair. Where are all the people on motorized wheelchairs in this Dutch town? It’s so unfamiliar looking.
Bicyclists in Redding had best wear helmets. Armor is appropriate, actually. Recent local stories like this, and this one from one of my favorite columnists in our local newspaper give one pause. Justifiably. There’s a reason why most of the bicycles you see in Redding are attached to the back of cars and trucks going somewhere else.
The end of oilIsn’t Shell Oil a Dutch company? What’s up with that? Today it was announced that we are tapping into our Strategic Oil Reserve to temporarily bring gas prices down a few pennies. Wouldn’t want anyone to start seriously looking for alternate forms of transportation, now would we?

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A bittersweet final countdown

This final Shuttle mission is set to launch July 8. Mission countdown rehearsal and related training is underway. You can follow along at your NASA website. The end of an era approaches.
STS 135
Oil wars get ramped up, while our spacefleet gets retired. That’s Really Redding.

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Feeding trolls as a business model

I’ll just leave this here.
Not funnyReally, I don’t care what they do over there, or how they want to run the thing. But I do get calls from out of town people interested in real estate, or relocating here, and they ask me about the things they read about Redding online. I struggle to explain it.

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Are we going this direction?

40,000 “patients” of the 17 local marijuana collectives, we are told. Economic activity that remains mostly untaxed, while we as a community close fire stations and lay off cops. Economic activity fueled by artificial demand, since the war on drugs only serves to increase their black market value.
This isn’t local, but I think it should be more widely seen.
“Five men were in a base of pirate taxis which was apparently about drug sales were shot by gunmen in two vehicles going in the La Estanzuela, south of Monterrey.” A kindergarten teacher calms and protects her students, while the gunmen outside shoot 5 people within earshot. Is this our future too? Drug money changes everything…


English translation: “Yes my love, everyone on the floor. Mandy, no, nothings happening just put your little heads down. Precious put your little heads on the floor, nothing is happening, just don’t put your heads up please!..Lets sing a song? Class says yes, Lets sing…I know which!
“/The rain drops are made of chocolate, I would love to be there, who wants chocolate!? Opening our mouths to taste the flavor/Put your heads down yes? Now put your heads on the floor and lets open our mouths /(Aahh sound)/ Are you guys opening your mouths? You have your little mouths open facing up? So the rain drops can fall into your mouths! Miguel you havent opened up your mouth?”

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What to do when the gas runs out?

Check out these actual local fuel prices:
Redding Ca fuel pricesFuel has been going up steadily. Today we hear of riots in Saudi Arabia to add to the Middle East storm brewing. Stocks are in the tank, even if gas isn’t. What if…?
Possible fuel scenarios in Redding CA
Hey, check out the latest in rail transportation from Japan. The high speed Hayabusa.
You don’t build a life raft after a flood. You plan ahead. This train was terribly expensive, but will serve Japan for generations to come. They planned ahead.

There was a huge earthquake in Japan yesterday. Thousands, perhaps millions of lives were saved by the most strict building code regulations on the planet. They didn’t wait for the 5th strongest earthquake in history. They planned ahead.

Meanwhile back home, we aren’t planning for the coming energy shock. Rail improvements here make no sense. Unless, you know, we as a culture were planning ahead for an unavoidable and abrupt end to our oil addiction, or something. Gosh, we’ll always have airlines, won’t we?

Happy motoring, Redding.

The people of Japan are in our hearts and prayers today.