
Greetings Fellow Life Travelers:
Well, did Elf on the Shelf get rescued or destroyed this year? Last week the dogs killed him off. What happened to him in your world this year- if you even let him in? Such silliness but what would Christmas be without jollies? Hope yours was festive, restive, joyful, meaningful, peaceful, bountiful – however you ordered it! And most of all, if you had to, travel-easy.
Mine was travel-easy both ways to Marin to visit friends and family. On the road just after 8AM on the 26th to beat the traffic that is typically insane coming to the mountains, and I did. Chain control at the last leg over the summit was almost a non-issue as temps were up and there was little snow. We did have a white Christmas but it was a bit soggy. Have a feeling real estate action was a bit soggy this last week too.
Residential Real Estate – week 12/21 – 12/27
- Tahoe Sierra MLS – North/West Shores & Truckee. New Listings – 12; Escrows – 12; Solds – 14
- Incline Village/Crystal Bay MLS. New Listings – 2; Escrows – 2; Solds – 4
- East Shore, NV MLS. New Listings – 4; Escrows – 1; Solds – 2
- Reno/Sparks MLS. New Listings – 42; Escrows – 74; Solds – 58
As expected, things were quiet for Christmas week. Wonder if we’ll see a rash of sales on Monday and Tuesday with end-of-year closings.
Local/Real Estate/Luxe
- 2011 marked the first $100+ million sale in the U.S. 30 have been purchased since 2020. In 2024, there have been 7 so far: New York, Malibu, Palm Beach, and Aspen. Highest was $210 million in Malibu.
- 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner is Tahoe Fund! These partners work for the good of both people and the planet, tacking the most environmental challenges with passion and purpose. Corporate partners commit 1% of their profits to the planet. Tahoe Fund uses the power of philanthropy to improve the Lake Tahoe environment, and the planet, for all to enjoy.
- Local Business Changes – New owners for Zano’s in Truckee, Tahoe Dave’s Ski and Board in Tahoe City & Truckee, Pour House in Truckee. Tree House in Truckee closed and space will be a new art gallery; Willards Sports in Tahoe City is closed with building looking for new occupant.
- Sock Skating: The Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland has a perfected floor for Sock Skating, open in time for the holidays. This serious center offers great education along with fun stuff. Check it out: www.chabotspace.org
- New Year’s Eve festivities: Palisades will hold its annual torchlight parade with fireworks and live music. Northstar will have a key headliner band and drone show. Tahoe Donner will feature a cross-country snowshoe tour under the stars along with music and food at its Cross Country Center.
- Fernet- Branca. The Bus Stop Saloon at 1901 Union Street, San Francisco, is the #1 Fernet bar in the Country and has been for some years. The bar itself is 124 years old and goes through 5 bottles of this sophisticated liqueur a day! A few years ago, a friend told me Fernet & Crème de Menthe is a great combo for hangover and, lo and behold, there is a bottle in the liquor cabinet!
- Seal Rock Inn, at the beach in San Francisco, is reopening January1 for breakfast. Longtime chef and San Francisco resident, Alfred Schilling, has been working on turning the restaurant into a Parisian bistro. Lunch and dinner will be added later. Nearby Cliff House is expected to reopen in 2025 along with Louis’ Diner.
Entertainment
- Longleat – Festival of Lights 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRl3ki1UwQI
TidBits
- Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child / Listen to the DON’TS / Listen to the Shouldn’ts / The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT’S / Listen to the NEVER HAVES, then listen close to me — / Anything can happen, child, / ANYTHING can be. “Listen to the Mustn’ts”. Shel Silverstein
- The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Mark Twain
- Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect. Steve Jobs
- More Rearranging: 1) Snooze Alarms = Alas! No more Zs. 2) A Decimal Point = I’m a Dot in Place. 3) The Earthquakes = That Queer Shake. 4) Eleven Plus Two = Twelve plus One 5) Mother-in-Law = Woman Hitler.
- I want my children to have the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them. Phyllis Diller
- I like football. I find it’s an exciting strategic game. It’s a great way to avoid conversation with your family at holidays. Craig Ferguson
- Family: a unit composed not only of children, but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold. Ogden Nash
- The thing about family disasters is that you never have to wait long before the next one puts the previous one into perspective. Robert Brault
- If you think that seven years of bad luck for breaking a mirror is too long, try breaking a condom. Mother of Heathens
- Money is meant to be spread around. The more happiness it helps create, the more it’s worth. It’s worthless as old cut-up paper if it just lies in a bank and grows there without ever having been used to help a body. Elvis Presley
- And how should we behave during this Apocalypse? We should be unusually kind to one another, certainly. But we should also stop being so serious. Jokes help a lot. And get a dog, if you don’t already have one. Kurt Vonnegut
- Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away. Louis de Bernières
- I’m not good at advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment? Chandler Bing, “Friends”
- I can’t believe it’s been a year since I didn’t become a better person.
- May all your troubles last as long as your resolutions.
- I used to play piano by ear. Now I use my hands – much more effective.
- I love pressing the snooze button so much, I set my alarm an hour early just to enjoy it.
- 2025 is the year I finally achieve all my goals from 2022. And if 2025 doesn’t go as planned, I’ve got my emergency stash of chocolate.
So, add a little champagne to that chocolate and celebrate the start of a new year full of new opportunities for a fulfilling life! Joy, Health, Success!
Thanks for being such dedicated readers. My very best wishes,
Trinkie