The Dateby Ray Shay

 

Ryan and Theresa

I know at a minimum it is bad manners for me to be on a date with my wife and son and to keep thinking about another woman, I met the previous evening.  I just couldn't shake the thoughts of her from my tired brain. 

I never dreamed I would be so distracted, because Theresa and I have been consciously trying to enjoy every second were around our youngest son Ryan.  He is at the awesome age where he is so much fun and he still thinks we're both pretty, "cool."  He laughs in his little boy voice at my corny jokes and still giggles uncontrollably when I tickle him in that special, secret spot.

I felt like we were living the dream last Saturday night as the waiter served me an ice cold amber ale in a chilled glass as I prepared to dine with two people who are at the top of my universe.  I glanced around the packed restaurant located in the beautiful and quaint seaside town of Del Mar, California.  Over a hundred people were busy laughing and joking as they appeared not to have a worry in the world.   I noticed gold and grey American Express cards were dropping on top of dinner bills like steady rain on a tin roof.

That is when my mind drifted back yet again to the previous evening and the other woman. Her name is Lisa-Lisa Jones and she is part owner of Jones Brothers Mississippi Barbecue at 6911 imperial Ave. (LINK). I met her while I was with some friends named Rocky, Dan and Ken Fortier.   Ken is a Sergeant on the SDPD Gang Suppression Team.  We were all on a ride-a-long to get a peek at how most people live.  Not the safe, HOA monitored and gate guarded communities that dot our local landscape, but rather residences where there are no garages and life and people just intersect more.

As we pulled into the parking lot of Jones Brothers Barbecue Restaurant in Southeast San Diego, Sergeant Ken warned us, "Lisa-Lisa is great, but keep in mind she is a hugger."  As we unbuckled our seat belts and eased out of the marked patrol car wearing bulky ballistic body armor,

Outside the perimeter of a shooting crime scene later in the evening.

we all glanced around the empty parking lot.   It was about seven PM on a Friday night and there was not a single customer. That is except us.

The empty parking lot and restaurant did not bother me as I knew they had great barbecue.  I was busy thinking to myself, how cool it was that Lisa-Lisa was a "hugger."  This world needs more "huggers." 

My private thoughts then drifted to all the years I had been a cop and how likely it was we would be called away from dinner to respond to either a shooting, stabbing or another type of violent crime somewhere south of Interstate 8. After all, it was Friday evening and San Diego is no longer a sleepy little town along the Pacific Ocean.

For whatever reasons, life just seems less fair in poorer communities.  Unfortunately, my predication of violence proved all too accurate, except for the timing.  We were able to finish our dinner. 

When we all walked into the empty Jones Brothers Mississippi BBQ Restaurant you would think we were returning family members. No hugs, but the Jones' family greeted all of us warmly with friendly smiles.  I didn't ask Dan or Rocky, but I knew we all felt welcome.

The barbecue was awesome, but more importantly, I saw a plaque resting on the laminate counter by the cash register and empty tip jar.  It included a picture that honored SDPD Officer Chris Wilson who was gunned down in the line of duty only a  few miles from where we now sat.  Chris who was married and has a son and a daughter was killed onOctober 28, 2010.  For details and video reflection of Officer Chris Wilson click here

When we finished our meal, I thanked Joe, his brother Nate and his wife Lisa-Lisa for the great food and told them how much we appreciated they still remembered Chris.  Lisa-Lisa blurted out proudly, "of course. I love that man."  What was interesting is she spoke about Officer Chris Wilson in the present tense.  Chris was killed in the line of duty from a gang members bullet over three years ago.  Lisa-Lisa and her family are keeping his spirit and memory alive.  She is a woman I will never forget. I knew Theresa would understand me thinking about her and Officer Chris.

It reminded me once again that sometimes in a few communities the bonds of friendship seem tighter and the appreciation they have for their law enforcement officers feels like it runs deeper.  When we got back to our patrol car we 

Rocky, Joe Jones and Dan

were soon responding to a shooting in the 3300 block of Imperial Ave.  Directly due west where we had eaten dinner. 

As I smiled at Ryan and Theresa with the fresh ocean air surrounding us, I  thought once again about the Jone's family and my time with Rocky, Dan and Ken.  I then took another sip of the cold beer and made a private toast to all the men and woman of law enforcement who were right now walking the point to protect us.  I also felt a sincere sense of appreciation to what appears to be ordinary people like the Jones that on a daily basis do such extraordinary things, like making strangers feel so welcome and keeping the memory of a father and friend alive and part of the daily fabric of their lives.

 

Enjoy your week.

Ray and Theresa Shay 

2013 - Shay Realtors - All Rights Reserved

Broker's Corner

Ray Shay Broker Associate

The latest news on local real estate by Ray Shay, Owner/Broker 

Associate of Shay Realtors of REMAX Ranch and Beach
#1 in home sales in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Congratulations to the Hawks on their beat down of the Bronco's. What do they say, "On any given day?" I thought the best part was the advise Russ Wilson the quarterback of the Seahawks received from his dad growing up, "Hey Russ, why not you?" I think meaning anyone can be the best in the world if they just commit themselves. Great advice coming from a mom, dad, brother or sister.... Never limit what you can achieve.

Let's get back to real estate. Micro Housing is something you will be hearing more and more about. As our children go off to college and making their way in life, housing will always be tough. In Seattle and other towns across the United States you are seeing people increasing calling home about 200 square feet that contains a bed, kitchenette, bathroom and a place to turn around. With rents about $700.00 a month in metropolitan areas they're tough to pass up.  To read more, click here...

Local Market Update     

We can provide you with custom weekly reports. You will find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market trends specifically for our 92127 zip code. Call us at 858.449.7355 or email us today for your custom condo or single family home report.

Zach & "Hump Day" Donutsby Ray Shay

First 'Hump Day" Donut Run

As the San Diego MTS 880 Express Bus destined for Qualcomm Campus in Sorrento Valley pulled away from the curb, I tried to steady my grip as I took the photograph on the left. It was not easy, because I was laughing so hard.  Our newest Realtor, Zach Woodworth was standing there holding small bags of donuts in his hands on his very first day as an employee of Shay Realtors.

I recall Zach didn't even flinch when I told him the previous evening to meet me at Starbucks in 4S Ranch at 0600 hours.  The employees of Donut Touch at 4S Ranch Village were also surprised when we raided their supply of hot donuts at daybreak.

It was not until we were standing on the curb at 4S Commons Shopping Center that we realized we had lots of free donuts to pass out, but no signs telling our story.

Zach Woodworth's First Day

That is when Zack took a play out of the transients hand book, and made a sign that read, "FREE Donuts." He probably wondered what the heck all of this had to do with selling real estate.  

Then it happened. Life and a community outreach opportunity collided. It was another reason for me to smile. As a Realtor friend of ours had explained, you will soon become known as the "Donut Man."

  

I have been called a great number of things in my life, but never "Donut Man." Standing on the curb as vehicles passed us many of the parents looked at us a with a weary eye as their children read our sign and yelled out, "Mom, free donuts!"  Most of the mom's and dad's looked ahead and did not stop.  

One of the first people to ultimately pull over was a woman with two small children in the back of her mini van. She pulled to the curb and exclaimed loudly with a broad smile, "I never met a donut I didn't like."  The kids cheered as we passed them hot donuts through the passenger window.

The GEICO Camel knows "Hump Day"

As Zach and I stood out there on our first, "Hump Day" Donut Run, it was almost like looking at a family photo album, because so many of our friends and clients drove by, honking and waiving. Roger Salvatore stopped with one of his three sons and then Dan London waived as he drove by.

I still recall meeting Dan, his wife Carla and their youngest daughter when they drove past me several years ago, when our family lived in Ivy Gate. I was standing on our driveway, kicking a soccer ball with one of our three boys.  The London's were great people from the moment we met them and we ultimately were able to secure them one of the finest estate view homes in Ivy Gate.   

Dan didn't seem surprised seeing us out in the early morning mist on a random street corner. I think he is used to our sometimes unconventional marketing techniques. What did John Cougar Mellencamp sing, "I'm not handsome, but I'm not shy?"

Shay Team at the new PQ Hub which is in the process of being renovated.

At the end of the morning experiment, Zach and I decided to try doing the "Hump Day" Donut Run for the next few weeks and see how it goes.  So if it is Wednesday and you see Zach or any of our team on the right standing on some street corner, don't hesitate to yell out,  "Happy Hump Day!" Then toss the donuts to your kids and head on to school or work.   

When you see Zach especially, be sure to yell, "Thanks Mr. Donut Man!"  It will remind him of where he started in this unique profession and that real estate really is a contact sport.   

As long as Zach always remembers to get out and talk to people, be honest and work hard for his clients, he will have an awesome career. Best of luck to you Zach! 

Enjoy your week.

Ray and Theresa Shay 

2013 - Shay Realtors - All Rights Reserved

Good Luck "JT"by Ray Shay

  

If you are a current or retired San Diego Police Officer, or a Federal Narcotics agent you probably know the person to my left. If you are a civilian, you would have never made "JT" as a cop. You would think he was maybe an east coast bagel shop owner. Undercover Narcotic Detectives are like that. They are pros at deception.

I admit it, going undercover for years or hanging out night after night with drug addicts and their suppliers was never the job for me. I liked wearing a blue uniform, body armor and having a gold badge on my chest.  A clearer line between good and evil.   I think going undercover, sometimes for years at a time, would be a much more difficult and challenging career.

UC or "undercover" police officers are a rare breed. Generally their not out to get promoted or kiss up to the ranking officers. They just want to work as part of a team and put the people who carry guns and poison our children into jail.  To a detective, they are very committed and focused. You have to be like that if your going to be successful in such a dangerous environment and make it home alive.    

I have written about "JT" before. He said it was fine if I wanted to write about him again and even place his picture in the eWeekly.   I covered his eyes for dramatic effect while also knowing criminals have long memories.  "JT" is not his real name and I won't divulge the location where many of his friends and colleagues wished him a happy retirement last week.   

 

As background, "JT" and I were both rookie cops in Logan Heights in the early eighties and we subsequently attended our first SWAT Academy together as well as countless tactical operations. He is as solid of a guy you would ever want to meet.  Nothing fake about him.   

As I drove on the I-805 on the way to his party, I thought of all the years we worked together and the summer morning we met me at the old police station at 801 West Market Street.  It was before first watch at about five AM for a SWAT training run. The same location where people now go for a relaxing dinner is the same location he broke the news to me that two of our fellow officers had just been shot and killed and a third officer was wounded. All over a couple minors drinking beer.   

You never forget those times or the connections you develop in another person. I would trust John with anything I have. As I walked into the restaurant Friday evening, I saw several  families eating dinner looking suspiciously at the long haired and our rough looking crowd loitering in the patio area.   

There were no long speeches or brass present other than SDPD Assistant Chief Cesar Solis who is a personal friend of "JT's." "JT" thanked everyone for attending and of course his wife and children, who are always the top priority in his life.  I think that is pretty special.      

 

Just before I left the party, I walked into the restaurant and saw a family eating pizza with several children at the table. The parents seemed to glance periodically at the crowd on the patio.  Life is often not what it appears.   

What seemed funny to me is the family was cognizant of our gathering and likely wondered what we all did for a living or maybe what we didn't do for a living. I know they would have been honestly shocked to know that the beer drinking group laughing and occasionally hugging each other were about thirty Federal and Local law enforcement officers.  Some of them were retired while others were still on the job.  All of them were there to show their appreciation to "JT" and his family.      

They are all unsung heroes who just do their jobs.  They risk their lives every day and night in hopes our children will never be tainted by illegal narcotics or the violent and turbulent world of drug dealers and their users that inevitably swallow up so many of our youth and too many adults as well.   Good Luck "JT."  You served your community and your fellow officers with honor and bravery.    

Enjoy your week.

 
 
 
Ray and Theresa Shay 
 
2013 - All Rights Reserved

Broker's Cornerby Ray Shay

The latest news on local real estate by Ray Shay, Owner/Broker Associate of Shay Realtors of REMAX Ranch and Beach - #1 in home sales in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The local housing market reflects a similar trend we are seeing throughout Orange County and Southern California where prices are increasing, but so is time on the market. The new housing figures show the number of investors are declining, but so is the number of foreclosures. 

 

I believe there is so much pent up demand for homes that if we can keep interest rates close to their historic lows, the first quarter of 2014 will be a hot housing market. If you're thinking of selling in 2014 be sure to give us a call to talk about your options and our trade up program. We have several new marketing and sales avenue we will also be adding in the new year. 

  

Local Market Update      

We can provide you with custom weekly reports. You will find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market trends specifically for our 92127 zip code. Call us at 858.449.7355 or email us today for your custom condo or single family home report.

The Red TruckWritten by Ray Shay

I didn't say anything to three of my brothers or their kids when I saw the red pick up truck enter the parking lot at Mile High Stadium.  I could hear music playing, but I could not see the driver.   

I was too busy eating a freshly- cooked mustard and sauerkraut-covered bratwurst sausage, wrapped in a toasted bun and drinking a cold beer.  I was about as close to heaven as one can get.  

The truck continued past us as it's hot, white exhaust drifted into the air in contrast to the frigid cold, black asphalt parking lot which was swarming with thousands of orange and blue attired Bronco fans. As the red truck disappeared into the darkness, I thought to myself, "that looks like my dad's truck."  

My dad was a warrior from the greatest generation, who, when he was older seemed to really appreciate each day he was on our little planet.  I think he realized he was nearing the end of an amazing run, because he sometimes gave me little hints, but I either wasn't listening, or just did not want to admit my hero was mortal.  

It was a sunny San Diego afternoon when we ordered him a brand new red pick up truck at the local FORD Dealership.  When the salesman said it would be delivered in a few months, my father chuckled and replied, "I hope I'm still around when it arrives." We both laughed and I remember saying, "of course you will be, dad."  

  

When we walked out of the dealership, he was very happy and he said what he often said which was "marvelous."  His emphasis seemed to be on the first half of the word and was always followed up with a smile and a special twinkle in his hazel green-colored eyes.  

 

Charger - Bronco Game at Mile High Stadium

I continued thinking about my dad and his red truck as we shuffled into Sports Authority Stadium with about 70,000 other fans to watch the Chargers battle the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. It's funny how sports frequently bring families together, even if we are cheering for opposing teams. 

 

My brothers Rick, Mike and Joe, as well as most of America were confident that for the second time this year the Broncos would defeat our Chargers, which would result in me posing for yet another embarrassing photograph wearing a Denver Broncos #18 football jersey with Peyton Manning's name on the back.   

The ultimate humiliation as the result of losing a recurring and silly bet with three of my brothers, who love the Broncos and take any opportunity to boast about their winning seasons.   

My brother Rick with his kids Jon and Katlin

 

As we walked on to the amazing, dark green football field, we were immersed into the white hot lights of Mile High Stadium as the Chargers and Broncos began their pre-game warm ups. It was not just the environment which was stunning. 

I saw our head coach, Mike McCoy, accompanied by his son Luke as he interacted with Phillip Rivers, players and his coaching staff. There was a palatable air of calmness and confidence in their actions. I felt good about the upcoming game. 

I then met up with William "Bill" Stetson who prior to working for the Chargers, knew something about men in battle and dangerous situations. I can't begin to count the number of San Diego Police Department and SWAT tactical operations we were side by side. 

 

In a strange way, those experiences had some similarities to what I felt the fifty-four men comprising the Chargers team were about to face.  There was a real sense of teamwork and unity as they prepared to violently collide with a formidable adversary as part of the National Football League.

  

I purposely wandered away from my family and Bill to stare up at the full stadium and appreciate the moment alone. As I did so I thought of my father and the phone call I received from the Ford dealership so many years ago.  

Bill Stetson

The salesperson was so excited when he proclaimed it was time to bring my dad down and pick up his brand new truck, which had just rolled off the transport and would be ready in a few hours.  

I had honestly forgotten about the truck. I recall the extended and awkward silence on the phone as I wondered how to explain that God evidently had a different plan.  My father had unexpectedly died about two weeks earlier.  

After I hung up the phone, I struggled with what to do next.  I then called the salesman back and told him I would be down tomorrow to pick it up.  He was very gracious and said it was not necessary. I thanked him, but told him it was.  It just did not seem right someone else would be driving my dad's truck.  

I went down the next day and bought the red truck. I never told anyone, but in a strange way I thought my dad could always look down and more easily spot Theresa and I and our first son, Troy, who was already on his way to this world.  When Raymond and Ryan then came along, I felt like we were all closer to my dad.  Strange things people do sometimes.

  

Rick, me, Mike and Joe

Since last week was Thursday Night Football and all, I was sure my dad and mom were both watching from above. Regardless of the outcome, they would be so very pleased that their children were remaining close friends as time marches on.  Something they always wanted.   

As the mass of humanity started screaming at kick off, I listened carefully and could almost hear my father's voice as he said, "marvelous."   

  

I think it is important to close this weeks Eweekly with three pictures of some avid Denver Bronco fans paying off a bet by wearing our very attractive blue and gold San Diego Chargers gear. I guess there are only two types of fans.  Charger fans and wannabes....  It is hilarious that several thousand people get this email.  Be sure to send it on, after all, you know what they say about pay backs .....

Brother Mike

Brother Joe

Brother Rick

Go Chargers and have a great week! 

 

  

  

  

  

Ray and Theresa Shay   

  

2013 - All Rights Reserved

Happy Thanksgiving! See you at the Thank You Run!

Sorry, no story this week. The kids are out of school, and we're enjoying having them around. From our family to yours we wish you all a terrific Thanksgiving!