Best Holiday Gift

Our Best Holiday Gift ... So Far!

Our three boys, Troy, Raymond, and Ryan really enjoy soccer. As much time as we are around soccer coaches and competitive clubs, Theresa and I were still surprised when Raymond's U-11 San Diego Soccer Club Coach, John Napier announced to the team, "I will be providing player evaluations to the kids and their parents today". That part was not surprising. What surprised us is what he said next, "It will take about twenty or thirty minutes per child".

Thirty minutes per child? Most coaches hand out an evaluation and say, "See me if you have any questions". I started to calculate in my mind before quickly transitioning to the calculator on my Iphone. 30 minutes per child and there are fifteen kids on our team and John has a minimum of 2 teams. That equals to about 15 hours of sitting down with kids and their parents.

I'm not the brightest, but even I know that SD Soccer Club is not paying Coach John Napier anymore for his additional time. John must really love coaching, love kids, and/or loves soccer. I pick answer (D) ... All the above.

John is not a first year coach. He has been doing this for a very long time and has played at the highest levels of English Premier League Soccer, (Click her for some history of John Napier).

We sat down with Raymond as John prepared to speak. We asked to take the above photograph and John agreed. In the counselling session John went over every aspect our son's play including leadership and attitude. Un-rushed, he paused several times when he would ask Raymond a question. It was not a, "courtesy pause". It was a ten second time period or more of silence as he waited patiently for a response from our son. In this world of texting and instant communication sometimes it takes an 11 year old, or anyone else, a few moments to develop an answer.

It was then I realized the gift that John was giving our family and our team. As we sat near, "the pitch" as our friends across the pond describe a soccer field, with kids running around and the sound of soccer acting as a backdrop, John was completely focused on our son. His words as usual, were caring, patient, professional, and wrapped beautifully in the most precious commodity of all... TIME. There was no bow on his present but his gift had a significant impact on all of the parents as well as the kids. One parent commented admiringly, "John said things about our son only us as parents should know. It was amazing".

Most people when they become successful and established they have little time for ten year old children trying to find their way. On behalf of all the many kids you coach,have coached, your gift of time and caring is deeply appreciated. You are developing some pretty darn good soccer players, but even more importantly, you are building young men and women who will be better prepared to face the challenges of life. Thank you.

Enjoy the Holiday Season,
Ray and Theresa Shay

Recent Crime 92127 Posted December 10, 2011

 

The map above shows recent crime that occurred over the last week. All data is from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Please click on the image to enlarge. 

This Week in Commercial Real Estate...

With 2011 coming to a close, the Commercial Real Estate Market in San Diego County has clearly been a “mixed bag” this year with stronger activity earlier in the year, and a returning to a “watch and see” mentality as we have reached the end.  Thankfully, we live in a region of the Country that has outperformed other major U.S. markets, and the short term view looking forward is still  much more positive compared to others.  As the employment base starts to show signs of recovery, and consumer confidence picks up, positive trends in the Commercial Real Estate industry will be a reality, and we assume that to be sooner rather than later.  (Always better to view the glass as half FULL, in my humble opinion).

The investment activity in San Diego County real estate from the Institutional players has been the brightest segment of the market.  Well over $700 Million dollars in acquisitions was placed in the County this year, with several more Investors  continuing to stay focused on our market.  Additionally, the majority of all those old Mervyns, Circuit City and Linens ‘N Things boxes have now all been absorbed or spoken for by other major retailers taking advantage of a great time to expand in San Diego.

As for our specific 92127 market, the year has seen the growth of Phase II to the 4S Ranch Village, bringing Fresh & Easy, Eyelux Optometry, T-Mobile, and soon to open Flippin’ Pizza, Kumon Learning Center and Sport Clips.  4Paws Animal Hospital will be expanding into the Cleaners old location, and the Cleaners has relocated and re-opened next to Fresh & Easy.  The 4S Ranch Health Center  recently started construction, which will bring the addition of several medical tenants to the neighborhood including Rady’s Children’s Physicians Management Services and Arch Health Partners.  Look for this project to open in late summer, early fall 2012.  In Del Sur, significant grading operations are in place for their continued community expansion, but most important will be the widening of Camino Del Sur, which should be complete later in 2012 as well.

If ever you have any Commercial Real Estate questions, inquiries or ideas for our Flocke & Avoyer Team to pursue for our community, please feel free to drop us a note at jstill@flockeavoyer.com or dsilverman@flockeavoyer.com.  Happy Holidays and may 2012 be a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year for all.

Popping the Bubble, by Ray Shay

Popping the Bubble

"We work so hard to protect and shield our children from the real world that just maybe... we need to expose them more to the realities of life."

Excited 5th Graders get ready for start of Biz Town 2011

I loved Biz Town! How could you not? Biz Town is an outstanding 5th grade elementary school field trip. Thanks to the Poway School District and Junior Achievement of San Diego, (click here). It exposes elementary kids to a glimpse of the, "real world". Even if it is just for a few short hours. The kids actually run a small town where they handle bills, customers, budgets, responsibility, and even employees! It briefly, "pops the bubble", and allows the kids the opportunity to experience a glimpse of real life.

Our middle son Raymond was so exhausted when the day was over. He said, "Dad, now I know why you and mom are so tired after work". Pretty cool when you see your children learning a life lesson. Being there with Raymond made me think. Which sometimes is not such a great idea.

Raymond and I at Biztown.

As I looked around Biz Town at all those beautiful children, I thought it was awesome. In the next breath, I thought of our older son Troy who attends Oak Valley Middle School. What about him? How do we develop life lessons for Troy and help to, "pop the bubble" for other Junior High and High School students? Then my imagination began to kick in. What if we started a Real Town? Same concept as Biz Town, but directed at kids who will soon find themselves being held accountable as adults. 

In my minds eye I could see Real Town. The content would be more mature and tailored to issues young adults experience. To be effective, a student would have to look directly in the face of bad decisions.

As the students entered my Real Town they would approach a duplex, (No 3000 sq. ft. homes here). The kids would see a "Meth Freak", (Methamphetamine user) dismantling a stolen motorcycle that is dripping black oil on his living room carpet at four in the morning. The narrator would explain that Methamphetamine was the drug he got hooked on when he inadvertently smoked some marijuana laced with it in high school. The "Freak" never learned to give up that high.

The students would be able to stare at his dirty clothes, pockmarked, rutty complexion, and the layers of grease under his untrimmed, yellow, brittle, and slightly burned fingernails. He also smokes meth or crack cocaine and those darn fingers get in the way sometimes. If the students are attentive, they may also even notice the bulge by his left ankle that conceals the monitoring bracelet issued by the State of California, Board of Prisons. Another lost sole on the criminal treadmill of life, striving to feed his unrelenting drug addiction.

The next stop the students would see is a sixteen year old girl trying desperately to learn, (way too quickly) what it means to be a woman and a mother as she tries valiantly to calm her crying newborn infant, (also at 4AM). Determined to take responsibility for an outcome she never expected or planned for.

The students at my Real Town would then walk past a vehicle accident where a blood stained sheet is being pulled over the star high school athlete who was only a passenger in the vehicle. The driver had only had, "a few beers". The students would then look into the simulated, "holding tank" of the San Diego Sheriffs Department. The driver of the vehicle is being patted down for weapons or contraband for about the fifth time. The SDPD Officer hands the Deputy the, "fish slip". The young man's eyes are as big as saucers as he looks into the, "holding tank". A narrator explains that the holding tank is where arrestees can make a phone call among about forty other criminals, before transitioning to another room for a humiliating strip search. The odors of urine, sweat, and fear permeates the room.

If this all sounds too dirty, or graphic that's probably good. It is real. I can not emphasize enough how many times a law enforcement officer in every city of this country has seen a young person trembling as they put their youthful arm through the bars of a jail intake area to have an ID ban attached. Standard procedure prior to stepping through the metal doorway where their life is changed forever. Our common thought was, "I wish that kid would have thought, for just a moment, before he or she made that decision.'

Maybe some of them really did not know jail is very real. Drugs can really be more powerful then them. And yes, sometimes, very bad things happen to good people. That bubble we tend to try and keep our children in can be pretty darn tough to pop. Sometimes if we can't, it may end up being too late when it finally does.

Editor's Note....I know I pushed some limits this week. Real Town does not yet exist. We are actually working on developing a Real Town Bus that will tour a few social service agencies in downtown San Diego and then hopefully County Jail. It is a start. If you are interested in learning more about the Real Town Bus, or helping out please email hannah@trustshay.com

Have a safe week,

Watch the 2nd Annual Thank You Run Kid's Race

Check out our video of the 2011 2nd Annual Thank You Run Kid's 1K. All the children had a wonderful time. Thank you for participating in this year's event which supports two worthwhile causes: The 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation and Helen's Closet, which provides vital medical equipment to those who have been diagnosed with ALS.

Recent Crime 92127 Posted December 3, 2011

Recent Crime 92127 Posted December 3, 2011

 

The map above shows recent crime that occurred over the last week. All data is from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Please click on the image to enlarge.

Shay Realtors Sponosrs 2nd Annual Thank You Run in 4S Ranch

A Child's Smile is the Ultimate Cure

It was about 0430 hours on Thanksgiving morning and Theresa and I were up making final arrangements for the Thank You Run 5K, 10K, and Kid's Run/Walk. In the predawn darkness, the fatigue of the week leading up to the run was setting in. With any challenge undertaken, there are times when you begin to wonder what you were thinking when you set the bar so high.

With the help of lots of friends and Race Committee Members we added a 10K and a Kid's Run to last year's 5K while doubling the attendance to nearly a thousand persons. Overall, the improvements had gone pretty smoothly. Despite the progress, we received a handful of emails complaining about not allowing dogs or strollers on the 5K and 10K courses. These restrictions were put in place by the HOA, County of San Diego and our all important insurance policy. I love the race, but I would like to keep our home.

When the emails started coming in with comments like, "You don't care about families", it resulted in one of our husband and wife "deals". I would handle all "those emails"; Theresa would continue forging ahead. It reminded me of what Steve Cross, a veteran SDPD Sergeant, told me once: "Doesn't matter what your doing. If you are passing out five dollar bills, someone will complain 'Why aren't they tens?'"

By race start time, everyone was surviving off adrenaline and probably the fear an errant runner would end up running up Black Mountain. After mayoral candidate and former Marine hero Nathan Fletcher spoke, local Del Norte High School student and Glee Club member, Maria Touvannas began singing our national anthem over a hushed gathering of runners, walkers and, yes, families. She was amazing! The fatigue and doubt I had been feeling disappeared in seconds.

Probably the highlight of the day was seeing over 100 kids lining up to start the Kid's Run. They were so excited. Some were biting their lower lips as they tightened their little fists waiting for the CHP Police Officer to start his siren to initiate the run. I had them launch about a minute late so all those parents could take a few extra pictures of this special moment. The Fire Department then turned on their overhead emergency lights as the kids raced by. It made me wish I could capture this moment in an email and send it to the few who thought we were Mr. and Mrs. Grinch. A child's smile is the ultimate cure for what ails you.

Have a great week! Hope to see you and your family next Thanksgiving.

To see the race results simply click here: ThankYouRun.org.