What does February mean to you? For me, it’s a month packed with history, love, and a whole lot of real estate action!
First up—African American History Month. I was thrilled to learn that this year, San Leandro will host its very first ever Juneteenth Celebration! It’s happening on June 18th, and I can’t wait to see the community come together to celebrate. You can find all the details here.
February is also the month of love, and while some are planning romantic getaways, I’m swooning over Modernism Week in Palm Springs. Sadly, I won’t be attending this year (work has kept me on my toes!), but my true love Maryann is able to get away. I still got my Mid-century modern fix by helping friends from Sheffield Village buy a stunning Mid-century modern home in my old stomping grounds of Orinda!
And speaking of Sheffield Village, I was honored (once again!) to receive Red Oak Realty’s Neighborhood Ace Award for being the top Real Estate Agent across all brokerages by helping the most buyers and sellers in Sheffield Village. No one has helped more people buy and sell in Sheffield Village since I got my license in 2005, and I’m already working with a few Village residents this year—so stay tuned for more exciting updates!
February may be a short month, but it’s shaping up to be an exciting one! What’s keeping you busy this month?
We are now in the Lunar New Year of the snake. More specifically, The Year of the Wood Snake which is actually my lunar zodiac symbol. What does this mean? Despite serious global political anxiety, I feel a sense of personal optimism.
Key Advice for a Wood Snake Year
- Think before you act – Strategic moves will bring success, but rash decisions could backfire.
- Stay adaptable – Change is inevitable, but your ability to adjust will be your strength.
- Strengthen your inner circle – Lean on trusted friends, but avoid unnecessary conflicts.
- Manage stress well – Avoid burnout by prioritizing mental and physical balance.
- Use protective traditions – In Chinese culture, wearing red or carrying a charm (like a jade pendant or a Pi Xiu bracelet) can help ward off challenges during Ben Ming Nian.
Here’s to a year filled with success, opportunities, and new beginnings.
HOMEOWNERSHIP TIP OF THE MONTH
With the Los Angeles fires still fresh on our minds, it has us thinking about our own emergency preparedness. We have emergency supplies in a secure yet easily accessible location in our garage which we can quickly load into our car. If you don’t have one, here’s an example of a good Starter Kit.
INSURANCE
Do you own your home in a Trust or LLC? If so, they should be specifically listed as additionally insured on your insurance policy. I’ve heard stories from the Los Angeles fires where this has been the case, and the homeowner is being denied coverage. It’s a simple matter to contact your insurance provider and discuss this with them. They should be able to simply add your Trust/LLC as “additionally insured” on your policy.
NINE PICKLEBALL TIPS TO MAKE YOUR GAME MORE ENJOYABLE
1. Be Fair with Line Calls
Unless you’re 100% certain your opponent’s shot is out, call it in. It’s better to give the benefit of the doubt and just play the next point. If your opponent calls one of your shots out which you think it was in, don’t argue. Respect their call and move on. Disputes can sour the fun of the game.
2. Own Your (and your partner’s) Mistakes
Watch for faults like stepping on the baseline during serves or into the kitchen while volleying. If you realize you’ve made an error, acknowledge it. Honesty fosters trust and keeps the game lighthearted.
3. Prioritize Safety
If your ball strays onto another court, loudly warn the other players immediately. Loose balls on a court can lead to serious injuries like sprained or broken ankles.
Be mindful when hitting near your opponents. While strategic shots at your opponents can limit their options, no one enjoys getting hit by a ball.
4. Simplify Your Strategy
“Middle, Middle, Solves the Riddle”: When facing strong opponents, aim for the middle of the court. It increases your margin of error.
“Think Dink”: Master the art of drinking (soft shots) overpower shots. Professional players rely on finesse over brute force to win. I’ve found the best way to beat physically stronger players is by hitting softer, drop shots, and working the angles.
5. Respect Court Etiquette
Stay back from active courts when waiting to play. Being too close distracts players and puts you at risk of collisions.
When crossing a court, wait for a break in play and move quickly to avoid disrupting the game.
6. Communicate with Your Partner
Talk with your partner throughout the game, especially for shots up the middle. Typically, the stronger player or the one with the forehand should take these shots. Remember, there are no “my side” or “your side” divisions in Pickleball.
7. Call the Score Properly
Announce the score clearly and loudly before starting your serving motion. That allows for time to have the score corrected as we all lose track of the score now and again. This also informs your opponents that you’re about to serve.
Include all three numbers (e.g., 4-2-1) to help everyone keep track of the game. Many players get lazy and leave out the third number which can lead to confusion.
8. Don’t Give Unsolicited Advice
Only offer tips to partners or opponents if they specifically ask for them. Unwanted advice can lead to resentment or tension, making the game less enjoyable for everyone. This is especially hard for me as I learned so much from people I’ve played with but it can come off as bossy and critical.
9. Be Aware of the Sun
On sunny days, avoid high lobs that force opponents to look directly into the sun. Sunlight can cause discomfort or even trigger headaches for some players, impacting their enjoyment of the game.
By incorporating these tips, you’ll not only elevate your own enjoyment but also ensure a better experience for everyone on the court. Keep it fun, respectful, and safe! I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips.
RECIPE
Peruvian Roasted Beet Salad (Ensalada de Betarraga)
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 medium beets, scrubbed and trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup queso fresco (or feta cheese, crumbled)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon aji amarillo paste (Peruvian yellow pepper paste, optional for mild heat)
- 2 tablespoons Choclo, also referred to as Peruvian corn or Cuzco corn (for crunch)
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Roast the Beets
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the beets on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and wrap them in foil.
- Roast for 40-50 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once cooled, peel and cut into cubes or thin slices.
- Prepare the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- If using, stir in aji amarillo paste for a mild Peruvian kick.
- Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the roasted beets, red onion, queso fresco, cilantro, and parsley.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with Choclo for added texture.
- Serve & Enjoy
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Garnish with extra queso fresco and fresh herbs if desired.
TRAVEL
We had a few day trips between the raindrops including a nice tour of Ridge Vineyards at the Lytton Springs location. We also re-upped our membership to the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and visited a couple of times including on Valentine’s Day. We caught the last day of the Tamara de Lempicka exhibit and are very much looking forward to the upcoming Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm Nearly 60 years after The Beatles performed their final concert at Candlestick Park, Beatlemania is back in the Bay. Featuring more than 250 personal photographs by Paul McCartney, along with video clips and archival materials, this exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at the meteoric rise of the world’s most celebrated band.
RESTAURANTS
We made it to another of our favorites this month: Mochica on Potrero Hill. We started with the Ritas which is their version of the Margarita. Sorry, can’t do a Pisco Sour with those egg whites. We then split the Roasted Beet Salad which has “Inca Corn” for an added crunch. But the Pièce de resistance is their Peruvian-style Seafood Paella: Bomba rice, mussels, shrimp, and calamari in saffron-fish stock base. Secret tip: Ask for Squid Ink to be used which gives it a more savory flavor. The blue/black ink makes the dish less colorful, but some say that it boosts immunity and has antioxidant properties. We also had a great meal and highly recommend Farmhouse Kitchen in Jack London Square. Maryann had the Branzino and I went all in with the Run Juan Seafood Sizzling: Assorted seafood; calamari, shrimp, scallops, sautéed in homemade SPICY curry paste, basil, onion, bell pepper, green peppercorn, and Thai eggplant. Yum!
MOVIES/THEATRE/TV
On Max we saw the movie Flow and found it to be a visually stunning. It was a fresh and poetic take on survival, and the interconnectedness of nature. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the animated story follows a cat navigating the shifting tides of its environment. The film’s dreamlike quality, coupled with its minimalist yet emotionally rich storytelling, makes it a unique and mesmerizing experience. I particularly enjoyed its captivating visuals, evocative music, and the way it conveys emotion without relying on dialogue…a testament to the power of cinematic expression. If you appreciate artistic animation and thought-provoking narratives, Flow is well worth watching.
We slipped out one rainy evening a watched Becoming Led Zeppelin in the IMAX. It was a fun and interesting story of the formation and early years of the iconic rock and roll band. It was very well produced and the sound at the IMAX theater was outstanding. Now, shifting gears from rock gods to Hollywood royalty—who’s watching the Oscars this Sunday? Any predictions or favorites you’re rooting for? I’m rooting for Flow.
MUSIC
We didn’t see any live music this past month, but I did pick up two Neil Young Albums and one by Dr. Dimento at a thrift store along the Russian River!
I hope you’re all doing well.
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